Search Results for: FAM Trips

The application for the TBEX Asia 2015 Blogger FAM trips are now open. The dates for the trips are October 19th-21st.

There are 10 trips to choose from, each one highlighting a part of the country and culture. There will be a maximum of five bloggers on each trip, helping to insure a immersive experience for all participants. All transportation and accommodations while on the FAM trip will be covered. You are resposible for hotel nights before and after the trip

These trips are by invitation only following an application process.

Do not apply for a Blogger FAM trip until you have read and understood the following information:

You must be a blogger or other content creator to participate. No industry representatives are allowed on these trips. No spouses, partners, or friends may accompany the blogger on these trips (unless they have applied and been invited).

You must be registered to attend TBEX to apply for these trips.

All participants in the Blogger FAM trips must be 18 years of age or older. No children of any age are permitted on these trips. There is no family themed trip available.

If you blog as a couple or group, each person must apply separately for the trips. Please understand that space on these trips are limited and there is no guarantee that you can be accommodated on the same trip. There is no group or couple application form.

You may select a first, second, and third choice of trips.

The deadline to apply for these trips is September 18th, 5 pm Pacific Time.

At that time, the application process will be closed, organized, and submitted to our hosts in Thailand. They will go through their selection process and advise us bloggers selected to participate. We will extend invitations to bloggers just as soon as we get this list.

We understand that you need to make travel plans and arrangements, and everyone involved in the process is committed to expediting the process to the extent possible.

UPDATE: The deadline for application for these Blogger FAM trips has been extended to September 8th, 5 pm Pacific Time.

The application for the Blogger FAM trips are now open. The dates for the trips are October 25-28th, and you will return in time to participate in the opening night party on the evening of October 28th.

The trips are planned around three themes: Food Journey, Thrill Seeker, and Luxury Lauderdale. You will find general information about these trips on our Blogger FAM Trip page. Additional information will be provided to all invited participants.

These trips are by invitation only following an application process.

Do not apply for a Blogger FAM trip until you have read and understood the following information:

You must be a blogger or other content creator to participate. No industry representatives are allowed on these trips. No spouses, partners, or friends may accompany the blogger on these trips (unless they have applied and been invited).

You must be registered to attend TBEX to apply for these trips.

All participants in the Blogger FAM trips must be 18 years of age or older. No children of any age are permitted on these trips. There is no family themed trip available.

If you blog as a couple or group, each person must apply separately for the trips. Please understand that space on these trips are limited and there is no guarantee that you can be accommodated on the same trip. There is no group or couple application form.

You may select a first and second choice of trips.

The deadline to apply for these trips is September 4th, 5 pm Pacific Time.

At that time, the application process will be closed, organized, and submitted to our hosts in Fort Lauderdale. They will go through their selection process and advise us bloggers selected to participate. We will extend invitations to bloggers just as soon as we get this list. We understand that you need to make travel plans and arrangements, and everyone involved in the process is committed to expediting the process to the extent possible.

Epirus: Tradition in Harmony with Nature

The region of Epirus is rich both in history and also in terms of its offerings to visitors. The prefectures of Arta, Ioannina, Preveza, and Thesprotia compose Epirus. The Pindus Mountains divide Epirus from the Greek regions of Thessaly and Macedonia to the east. The main city in Epirus is Ioannina, with some 100,000 residents. One of the most famous regions is Zagorochoria, a cluster of over 40 villages, located amphitheatrically on the slopes of Mount Mitsikeli, Tymfi, and Pindos. These villages are characteristic due to their stone architecture and slate roof. In addition, the greater region is filled with traditional stone arched bridges, many of which are quite well-preserved. The Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest worldwide, is 20km in length and is a natural wonder. The region of Epirus, due to its rich natural environment, is ideal for a host of outdoor activities, ranging from skiing, hiking, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and more. To discover this region, apply for the Epirus fam trip here:

Meteora: Monastic Mysticism in an Iconic Landscape

Meteora (in top photo) is the second most important group of monasteries in Greece (after Mount Athos), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What makes Meteora unique is the fact that the monasteries are built on top of unique rock formations, making the monasteries appear to be located “sky-high”. These monasteries have a history that goes back to the 11th century, when a group of hermit monks first moved there. These monks wanted spiritual isolation and pure tranquility. Six Monasteries today are open for visitors, these are: the Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron, the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, the Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen, the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicolas Anapafsas and the Holy Monastery Roussanou/St. Barbara. To discover this region, apply for the Meteora fam trip here.

Pelion: For Mountain & Sea Enthusiasts

Pelion, also known as the mountain of Centaurs, is located in central Greece. It is unique in Greece in that it offers both proximity to the sea and the mountains. Pelion has 24 traditional villages, which have unique Pelion-style architecture. The town of Volos, with approximately 144,000 inhabitants, is coastal and is known for its tsipouradika—tavernas which serve meze and tsipouro. The Pelion region is famous for its lush vegetation, rich orchards with vegetables and fruits, and forests with streams running through it. This is a year-round destination that one can visit during all seasons, and activities such as hiking, horseback-riding, skiing, swimming, and even mushroom picking are popular. To discover this region, apply for the Pelion fam trip here.

Peloponnese: Ancient History & World-Famous Local Products

The Peloponnese is a vast region, which takes up most of the Southern part of Greece. It has a rich history and is home to archaeological sites and monuments from different historical periods. Of key importance in this region is the Mani peninsula, which located on the second (middle) leg of the Peloponnese. Mani is famous for its well-preserved medieval tower houses and fortresses. The medieval castle town of Monemvasia is one of the most impressive monuments in Greece. The city of Kalamata is a beautiful coastal town with the view of the Taygetos Mountains in the background and is famous for its olive oil. The Peloponnese is also famous for its wine-making, with a long tradition and is the largest such wine-making area in Greece. To discover this region, apply for the Peloponnese fam trip here.

Thessaloniki: A Vibrant and Multicultural City

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. It is an urban center that possesses a large student population. The city is well-known for its festivals, and vibrant art and cultural events, as well as for being a food mecca—many argue that the best food in Greece can be found in Thessaloniki. The food highlights the city’s multiethnic history and there are a plethora of options available, from informal eateries to gourmet restaurants. Thessaloniki is European Youth Capital for 2014 and hosts the International Film Festival, which is the premier film festival in the Southeastern Europe region. Thessaloniki also has a variety of archaeological sites, as well as Byzantine and Ottoman monuments that are open to the public. To discover this region, apply for the Thessaloniki fam trip here.

The deadline to apply for these FAM trips is Friday, September 19th, at midnight, Pacific Time. Our hosts in Athens advise that bloggers will be notified of their selection for the trips next week. Remember, you must be registered to be eligible to participate in a FAM trip, so if you’ve been putting it off, head on over to register today.

Dates and destinations have been announced for five TBEX Athens FAM trips. Although we don’t have a lot of specifics yet, meaning that we don’t yet have itineraries, trip theme, or activities, we know you’ve been anxious for some information about what’s in store for post-TBEX activities. Europe’s August holidays will be over soon, and we’ll update the FAM information with more information just as soon as it becomes available.

There have been quite a few new TBEX Cancun regisrations in the last few days, and we’ve heard that some of you have missed out on the opportunity to apply for one of the great post-event FAM trips around the Cancun area.

Our FAM trips hosts have advised that there are a few spots left, and they are willing to accommodate some last minute applications. Priority will be given to last minute registrants, but we do realize that travel bloggers travel, and that means that you may have been traveling – and without internet access – to the application time frame.

Don’t put it off again – applications will close on Thursday at midnight, Pacific Time. Invitations will be extend to invited bloggers on Friday.

The trips are all offered September 14-16, include pick up from your hotel and return to the airport (depending on your flight time), 2 nights hotel accommodations, meals, and a variety of activities that should allow you to create editorial content for your blog.

There are four FAM trips offered and selection is by application only. These are for bloggers only, no industry attendees or plus-ones will be accommodated.

Here are a few tips that will help you make the best selection and help position your application for consideration:

Read the itinerary of each FAM trip to determine which one(s) interests you. You will be able to select and first, second, and third choice.

Fill out the application form in its entirety, including relevant social media information.

Explain the angle of the editorial content you are most interested in on the trip. Explain how the activities or destination is relevant to your audience.

Please indicate if you have any physical limitations or dietary restrictions so these can be planned and accommodated in advance.

Guests looking for off-the-beaten path experiences will love exploring the island of Holbox. Located 40 miles North West of Cancun, Holbox is a small fishing village that is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon, which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and other exotic birds and creatures. Holbox is key to the Yum Balam ecological reserve, which is protected by international regulations and its topography combines rainforest, virgin beaches, lagoons, cenotes, and rivers.

One of Cancun’s most popular day-trip destinations, Isla Mujeres is an enchanting island just a short ferry ride away from Cancun’s mainland. Visitors will spend two days exploring the island of women, named after Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility, medicine, and the moon. A trip to this beautiful island would not be complete without a visit to Garrafon Park, Punta Sur and a snorkeling trip to the Underwater Museum, home to hundreds of underwater sculptures that double as a complete coral reef system.

This action-packed trip will feature a variety of adventure activities like zip lining through the Mayan jungle and swimming in the crystal waters of cenotes. Because Puerto Morelos is the largest and most important sea port in the state of Quintana Roo and it is in close proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – the second largest in the world – this trip will also include a fishing expedition in the waters of Cancun.

Because of Cancun’s proximity to some of the world’s most renowned ruins, this trip will focus on the region’s Mayan culture. This exciting trip will feature some of the most famous and breathtaking Mayan sites in the region, including Tulum, the only Mayan site situated oceanfront. We will also visit the Cancun Maya Museum and Coba, home to Nohoch Mul, the tallest Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan.

Click through to read longer descriptions and a full itinerary of each of these FAM trips.

Important Dates

Deadline to apply for these TBEX Cancun FAM Trips is August 21st, midnight Pacific Time. Invitations will be sent to selected applicants on August 25th.

We’ve got some updated information for travel bloggers heading out on one of the five pre and post-TBEX Dublin FAM trips.

If you’ve been invited on one of the FAM trips, you’ve confirmed your attendance on the trip with an RSVP to us here at TBEX. You may or may not be contacted directly by a Failte Ireland representative before you arrive in Ireland. They’re working on contacting people as best they can; in some cases, you’ll receive your detailed information when you get on the bus to start your trip! These are group press trips and are run according to a schedule, so please be prompt and do not request a schedule accommodation.

All FAM trips will depart and return to The Doubletree Hotel in Dublin (the TBEX conference venue).

Pre-TBEX FAM Trips

Wild Atlantic Way Northwest – Will depart at 12:30 pm on Saturday, September 28th, and return between 2:30-3 pm on Wednesday, October 2nd. If you have a flight arrival on the 28th, this tour can make a pick up at the Dublin airport at 1 pm. Please make sure your flight arrives early enough to clear customs and immigrations for a prompt pick up. We can not delay departure for the remainder of the tour if there is a delay. If you need an airport pick up on this departure date, let the Failte Ireland representative know when you are contacted. NOTE: This is the only date that an airport pick up can be accommodated.

The Forever Happenin’ South East FAM will depart at 9:00 am on Sunday, 29th September and return at 3pm on Wednesday, 2nd October.

Limerick trip – Will depart at 8 am on Sunday, September 29th, and return at 8 pm on Tuesday, October 1st.

Post-TBEX FAM Trips

Wild Atlantic Way Southwest – Will depart at 8 am on Saturday, October 5th, and return at 2 pm on Tuesday, October 8th.

Wild Atlantic Way West – Will depart at 8 am on Saturday, October 5th, and return at 8 pm on Monday, October 7th.

Internet Access on FAM Trips

All of the hotels on the FAM trips will have wi-fi, in the individual rooms, the lobby/reception area, or both. It is generally provided complimentary, but should you have any questions about whether or not it is complimentary, check with your FAM trip host.

Wi-fi should be available on all the coaches as well. However, note that in some areas (e.g., deep in the mountains in Connemara), coverage may be inconsistent.

Dublin Day Tours and Experiences

The second phase of registration for the Day Tours and Experiences opens up today (Tuesday, September 17th) at noon, Pacific Time.

You may register for additional tours and experiences on a first come, first served basis. These activities are open to both blogger and industry attendees. And remember, you must be registered to attend TBEX Dublin to participate in these events.

We know that the TBEX community includes nomadic families as well as travel bloggers who travel with their families. Although the professional development and networking part of TBEX is structured for adults (see our children at TBEX policy here), we also know that many attendees would like to include their family in part of the larger TBEX experience.

If you are traveling with your family to TBEX and want to enjoy a FAM/Blogger trip, we are announcing a new Family Travel Blogger Trip that is now available for application. The trip will depart from Lloret de Mar on Tuesday, May 4th and end in Girona on Thursday, May 7th. The trp will be run as a typical press trip, but at a slower pace and focused on family friendly activities. The trip is suitable for kids of all ages; you can view a full itinerary of the trip here.

When filling out your application for this trip, please indicate in the comment section how many participants are in your family.

Today we are also re-opening all remaining FAM/Blogger trips for additional applications. You can find the list here. Although some trips are full, you’ll still find a great variety available. We’ll be processing the applications on a weekly basis until all the positions are filled, so get your application in today.

Remember, you must be registered for TBEX Europe 2015 to be eligible to participate in these trips.

Please note: If you applied for a FAM/Blogger trip and haven’t received an invitation, please email Mary Jo. If you applied for a trip, you should have received an invitation by now.

Invitations have been sent out to all participants of the TBEX Europe 2015 FAM/Blogger trips.

If you applied for a FAM/Blogger trip, and didn’t receive an invitation, please do the following: First, check your spam and inbox to make sure it didn’t get buried or sent to spam. The email was sent from Mary Jo with a subject line of Invitation. You can use that to search your archives as well. If you still don’t have an invitation email, please contact Mary Jo via email and we’ll look into it.

Later this week, we will post information about trips that have remaining spots available, and will re-open the application process. Not all trips will be available during this second round of applications, some are full, but there is still a good selection to choose from. If you missed out on the opportunity in the first round, or recently registered for TBEX, this will be your opportunity to take advantage of these opportunities to stay on in Costa Brava.

And a special trip will be added – a family trip. This FAM/blog trip is designed for those attendees traveling with kids, and will include activities, sightseeing, and a pace suitable for families traveling together. Our hosts are putting the final touches on that trip, so stay tuned for details.

In the chart below you will find details of the start and return location of all the trips. All trips start in Lloret de Mar, on May 4th. The trips end in either Girona or Barcelona, on various dates. Times are listed as well. This should help you complete your travel planning.

Our host destination and their partners have worked hard to put together these 21 trip, with diverse focus and opportunities, giving bloggers plenty to choose from. From cycling the Pyrenees to discovering the culture of Barcelona, from digging into fashion to enjoy the easy pace of the fishing village of Baix Empordà, from visiting the Monastery of Montserrat to outdoor camping experiences — you’re certain to find something that will tempt you to linger in Catalunya.

You can find a full listing of all 21 blog trips, including destinations, specific activities, fitness levels, and dates here.

A few important reminders about the blogger trips.

You must be registered for TBEX Europe 2015 to be considered for a trip. Head over here to register (prices go up February 6th).

These trips are open to bloggers and other content creators only. Sorry, no industry representatives, guests, or children permitted.

EVERY blogger must submit an individual application, there are no group or couple applications.

You may specify your top 3 trip choices. Please review all the trip opportunities and make your selections carefully.

The deadline to apply for these blogger trips is Monday, February 16th, at midnight, Pacific Time. We will try to notify all bloggers of their selection for the trips the following week. Remember, you must be registered to be eligible to participate in a blogger trip.

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